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Grand French Restaurant Proves To Be Magnifique
In the bustling downtown area of Williston Park, that is Hillside Avenue, resides a grand French restaurant named La Marmite.
This restaurant is definitely one of the most romantic French Restaurants on Long Island.
As you pass under the elegantly canopied entrance of La Marmite (above left) you transcend into a world of charming French splendor. Upon entering you will spot classic French doors to the left, revealing a dining area replete with fine drapery and linen napery. There are many beautifully appointed seating areas with an ample number of windows and gorgeous floral displays throughout. When you make your way through this handsome establishment you will see an array of dining rooms warmly and classically appointed with wine collections and fireplaces. As you continue through the spirits room you head off into another dining area that leads to a grand room that can easily accommodate large functions.
We started our journey into French cuisine with Jumbo Lump Chesapeake Bay Crab Cakes (above left), golden sautéed with a classic pommery mustard sauce, that were moist and bountifully filled with crab. We were informed that these crab cakes were carefully created using a "well-guarded" recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation. Then we tasted the Diver Sea Scallops (above right) atop an imported French all grain mustard sauce with julienne zucchini and carrots. These Scallops were perfectly firm, well seasoned gems.
Next was the Bouillabaisse Marseille (above left), a classic French seafood stew featuring shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams and wild-stripped bass in a saffron-tomato broth. This entrée is a house classic and has been on the menu for over 34 years. The medley of seafood was extraordinarily tender and savory from the perfectly prepared shellfish to the "melt in your mouth" bass. Then we had The Dijon Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb (above right) which was beautifully presented with just the right essence of heat from the Dijon mustard.
The Lobster Fricassee (above left), conveniently "out of the shell," in a lobster sauce reduction, was an eye catching impression of an entire lobster atop a bed of Tagliatelle. This expertly cooked lobster dish was as tasty as it was beautiful. The Grilled Veal Chop (above right) was next. This dish may be ordered seasoned to taste. It was moist and beautifully grilled and served with a bouquet of freshly steamed broccoli.
The Crisp Long Island Farmhouse Duck a l’orange (above left), which was flambéed in a fresh orange sauce, was very tasty and crispy on the outside while succulent and juicy on the inside. Additionally, we were served Pork Osso Bucco (above right) with sautéed baby spinach and couscous risotto, dotted with diced red and yellow peppers. This dish was simply out of this world, superb! We also tasted the Spiral Nest Pasta, rolled with fresh mozzarella and prosciutto then garnished with shaved Parmesan cheese.
For dessert we tasted Croquembouche , which comes from the French words "croquant" meaning crunchy, and "bouche" for mouth (Pronounced crow-come-bush). This popularized classic adaptation of the French gourmet wedding cake is finished with whipped cream and shaved chocolate assembled in Eiffel Tower formation and created to honor Saint Honore, the French Patron saint of pastries. Much to our delight, we ended our evening with what could be considered "the fluffiest French cheesecake this side of Paris" accompanied by an excellent cup of cappuccino. This restaurant's exquisite food and dynamic hospitality leaves no one's culinary desires unfulfilled.
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